The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-02-04
SAVED FROM RUIN.
a Good Daughter with a Business
Head.

Bee stole into the library one evening
in early spring, to have her usua
''quiet think" in the Sleepy Hollow
chair on the rug before the fireplace
A cheerful fire of dry pine cones
cracked and snapped merrily in the
early twilight making the room very
inviting to the little dreamer, as sht
cozily settled herself among the soft
red cushions, and began to erect hel
castle-in-the-air. She had just reached
the first turret in her building process
when she was arrested by sigh from
the farther corner of the long room
Now, as Bee had supposed that she was
the only occupant of the library, thai
sigh startled her considerably, ant
caused her pretty castle to fall to the
ground in sad confusion. She turned
her head from the recess of Sleepy.
Hollow, and gazed in the direction
from whence the sigh had proceeded
and seeing dark object on far-away
lounge, she quickly made her way
toward it, stumbling over the ruins Of
her castle in her haste.
"Why papar' she cried, as she neared
the lounge. "You hereP 1 thought
was alone. What is the matterp You
are not i'll, are you?"
Papa laughed, but there was some.
thing wrong about the laugh. II
sounded as if there was sigh behind,
and Bees quick ear detected it at once.
mo, my DEAR" he replied, fondly
patting the rosy cheek laid against his.
I'm not i'll, only trifle tired, and
somewhat worried"
Worried, papaP And what aboute
Tell me. I'm a capital hand to drive
away worries. "
81 know you are, dear; but 1 am
afraid this worry is altogether too bic
for my girl, for it surely is for me, y
and papa sighed again.
Bee curled up on the rug by his side,
and leaning her head against his hand,
said, coaxingly:
''Well, tell me about it, any way.
Perhaps you and | together can scare il
away"
Her father smiled in spite of himself.
There was something so Inspiring
about Bee and her CHEEKY voice. She
always brought sunshine with her, and
carried away gloom and sorrow.
"Why, Bee, you see," he began, in
explanation, "these striking times are
beginning to affect business sadly.
Our expenses are heavy, sales slow and
light, and things are looking dark
ahead of us. We are obliged to keen
up, and especially to keep our goods in
order, which requires good help, as the
wares we deal in are delicate and re-
qure careful handling. l had hoped
we could get along without any inside
trouble, and perhaps weather il
through, but to-day our under book.
keeper and three of our best and most
experienced clerks struck for higher
w1ges. We are paying all we can
afford to now, in fact more, according
to the business we are doing, and vet
W. can not possibly get along without
taese men. Altogether it is bad bust.
ness, and / must confess, for the first
time in my life, | see no way out of a
difficulty. / should like to be able to
tell these fellows to leave-the sooner
the better That's what ought to be
done, but we are so dependent upon
them that l can't do as 1 want to. and
as it would be right to do, either They
know we can't trust our goods to new
hands, so they take this base advantage
of us.
Bee thought moment, when hel
father stopped talking, and then said:
"What do these three clerks dop"
"They look after the fine glass and
tableware; keep it clean and properly
arranged, and show it to customers. -
and the under book-keeperp"
'He assists Banks in his office work y
Il shouldn't think any of it was hard
or heavy work" and Bee gazed down
at her white hands.
1T isn't, only it is responsible work.
We don't dare trust new or careless
persons with it."
Eyes, seen
"But never mind, Bee, don't you
worry about it., - and papa stopped over
to kiss the thoughtful face.
Wen manage along some way, but
do hate to raise those fellows wages
when we are running behind now
And he sighed harder than ever.
Just then mamma came in, and, leav.
ing her to comfort and cheer her IA
Their, Bee crept quietly away and up tC
her own pretty room, where she put on
her thinking cap, and, locking hel
door, so no one could disturb her, she
nestled down in her low rocking chain
by the west window, and fell into &
brown study. 1t was after midnight
when she at last came out of it, anC
cautiously opening her door stole across
the dark hall to an opposite door ant
raped softly.
Come in," called deep, musica
vo, e, and Bee obeyed the summon,
and entered large, beautifully-ap
pointed room, where two young womel
were slowly and sleepily preparing tt
retire, after an evening spent at ;
brilliant reception. The taller of tn,
two greeted Bee with smile, as sh,
stood wrapped in wine-colored dress
ing-gown, her dark brown hair hang
ing about her shoulders, and the brusl
in her uplifted hand, while her sister
sat lazily toasting her daintily-slip
pered feet at the open fire, locking be